The word has probably gotten around by now: the opening of the iPhone to alternative app stores was not entirely voluntary; Apple was forced to do so by the EU’s Digital Markets Act. In this respect, it should come as no surprise that the company does a lot to keep this option as limited as possible. This is reflected in the fact that the option in question actually only applies in the EU and only for iPhones, while the iPad and Apple Watch are still limited to Apple’s offerings.
Apple blocks alternative iPhone app stores when leaving the EU – Apple
